LT COL NOEL ELLIS
29/VI/2025
Since childhood, one had always been fascinated by fish in an aquarium. One never knew that one day we too shall be keeping them. We started fish keeping not as a hobby but as a compulsion. Let me explain as we go.
It all started with carrying out trails to grow “Lotus seeds”. That too got triggered by two empty tubs which still had life left before we threw them away. In Alibaug, we had used a small tub for growing our portulaca collection. But there was a difference. That was a damaged tub and these were usable. A sort of ‘best out of waste’ was the theme.
Lotus seeds are available both online and off line in any Kiryana shop here. They call it “Kamal Gatta”. Having watched videos on you tube it appeared quite easy. Just ‘file’ the seeds till the white portion of the lotus seed is visible and soak them in water. Within three days, those dry and stone hard seeds come to life. A shoot sprouts and viola. That story later.
Mosquitoes were the main concern in the static water of these tubs. One could not be held guilty of spreading ‘Malaria’ in the colony. It took me back to the industry where I had worked. The environment sleuths would check the drains for the fish which the company had introduced to control mosquito larva.
If the fish were alive, it meant the water was of good quality, plus no malaria. There we had guppies and local fish which used to swim in from the river. That made me search for an aquarium shop in our city.
Having found one, one picked up a few fish. The shopkeeper suggested that guppies and mollies can cohabit without any fuss and were low on maintenance and care. Viola, fish came home. The big bathtub became the breeding tub and nursery.
Within days we saw tiny fingerlings. As time went by their numbers started increasing. These fish are ‘live bearers’ i.e. give birth to live babies in dozens. Babies were introduced to the lotus tub.
One got fascinated with the variety and breeds of guppies and mollies available. Fish were ordered. Their beautiful, colourful, and flashy tails could enchant anyone who saw them. Being a novice, it was not as easy to handle these dainty fish.
The lotus experiment did not succeed but water lilies did. There was a requirement of more fish. Though they were multiplying, the exotic and rare variety of the new arrivals started dying, giving us heart breaks.
Their lives mattered more. Their price, though exorbitant, was irrelevant.
Then came two cemented tanks in our veranda to grow water lilies. Instead of getting the expensive variety of fish, one now got them from local vendors rather than from Kolkata, Kerala, or Mumbai.
Then I made friends with a local aquarium owner. We started exchanging water plants on a regular basis. He gave me fish and fish food in exchange.
It has been almost two years that our cement tanks have had fish. But with the passage of time and with the addition of live plants in them, algae started forming on the sides and the bottom. Even snail and mollusc shells placed on the floor started getting consumed in fish waste and green algae. This required regular cleaning along with water changes. One could hardly see the fish, especially the dark ones.
This reminded me of a basic teaching of the army. “Cheezen kyon dikhti hain”. Why do we see things? Of course, one has to have his eyes open but besides it used to be “5S and 1M”. “Shape, Shine, Shadow, Silhouette, Spacing, and Movement. I applied the formula for the tank.
A few spare white tiles lying on the roof caught my eye. They were placed in the tank. It changed the whole get up. All the fish that were invisible till now, could now be seen so clearly, especially the dark ones and the tiny babies. A mason shall be at it soon. It will also help me to clean the tanks better.
Watching fish is a stress buster. They ask for food by their playful gestures. Feeding them gives you “sukoon”. It is fun to watch them chase each other. Their poo becomes manure for plants and keeps them healthy. Overall, it becomes a balanced environment. Plants keep ‘ammonia’ and ‘nitrate’ levels within limits. Fish mortality reduces even with temperatures being 50°C in the Sun City.
Small changes transformed the whole perspective of those tanks. The fish are happy, so are the plants. Visitors are in awe and we are happy. Plus, mosquitoes dare not think of dropping their eggs as “trespassers would be eaten alive”.
Do you guys like it? I wonder!!!!!!
JAI HIND
©® NOEL ELLIS
So nice!!
ReplyDeleteThank you
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